ssmpuc

Supplied by Sault PUC… SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (29 May 2015) – PUC wishes to advise the public of the following activities for the week of June 1st, 2015. This notice is organized into four sections; Electrical Line Clearing (Tree Trimming), Water Infrastructure Renewal, Water Operations Activities and Unidirectional Flushing Program. ELECTRICAL LINE CLEARING PROGRAM (TREE TRIMMING) Each year, PUC Forestry Technicians inspect Sault Ste. Marie’s electrical distribution system. During this process, trees near power lines are trimmed and/or removed as needed by our line-clearing contractor Wilderness Environmental Services to reduce the risk of contact with high voltage electrical wires. The purpose of this work is to ensure public safety while at the same time improving the reliability of our city’s electrical system by reducing the number of unplanned power interruptions. Completing this inspection and trimming program for the entire city takes approximately three years. For the period of June 2nd – June 5th 2015, Backyard tree trimming will continue along the following roadways, Drake Street and Welcome Avenue. Backyard trimming will only occur in yards where homeowners have received a “Line Clearing Notice” on their door, or in the mail. WATER INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL This year’s Water Infrastructure Renewal Projects (Street Reconstruction) will be commencing soon. The PUC will be working with city staff to keep affected customers informed on the following renewal projects:   ” Upton Road (from Queen St E to Wellington St)  ” Kensington Street ” McMeeken Street (from Churchill Blvd to Elizabeth St) ” Elizabeth Street (from Queen St E to McMeeken St)

WATER OPERATIONS ACTIVITIES Operational activities for the week are:  ” 760 Second Line East o A developer is installing a commercial water service for a new Strip Mall. During this process, PUC will oversee the testing and commissioning of this new service. ” Upton Road/Kensington Terrace – Temporary Water Supply  o A temporary water supply for the Upton Road reconstruction project will be connected to the existing mains. This connection is dependent on satisfactory temporary water supply system test results. ” McMeeken Street – Temporary Water Supply  o A temporary water supply for the McMeeken Street reconstruction project will be connected to the existing mains. This connection is dependent on satisfactory temporary water supply system test results. ” Elizabeth Street – Temporary Water Supply  o A temporary water supply for the Elizabeth Street reconstruction project will be connected to the existing mains. This connection is dependent on satisfactory temporary water supply system test results. ” Annual Hydrant Testing o Testing has commenced for the city’s approximately 2500 fire hydrants. This work is necessary to ensure all hydrants are functioning properly. Testing will occur across the city throughout the summer. There will be no hydrant testing on weekends and holidays. There is a chance customers in the areas impacted by Infrastructure Renewal or Operational Activities could experience discoloured water. This is because any time there is a major change in the rate or direction of flow of water in the distribution system, sediment in the watermains can be disturbed and carried along with the water. Customers are asked to contact PUC Customer Service should they experience discoloured water or any unusual change in water quality.  UNIDIRECTIONAL FLUSHING PROGRAM PUC water customers are advised that the Unidirectional Flushing (UDF) Program for 2015 is commencing in the east end of the city. Customers are encouraged to visit the PUC website at www.ssmpuc.com for regular updates and to see a map(s) of the flushing area. The UDF Program is performed in order to remove sediment from within the city’s watermains and is a recognized industry best practice for improving water quality. ” East End o UDF flushing area for the week of June 1st – 5th will occur in the area generally bounded by Chambers Avenue to Queen Street East and Kerr Drive to Dacey Road. The PUC would like to remind all customers that work scheduled for next week is tentative and subject to change due to weather or resource constraints.